The Play’s the Thing

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Ever find a delightful theater that is small and intimate and has all the things you wished theater could be? We are lucky to have the Rockaway Theatre Company right here at Fort Tilden. They work hard, are very good at their craft and bring real theater to us here on the peninsula. Patronage is the key to keeping theater alive here in Rockaway, and RTC has a loyal following. And the 2017 performance schedule is awesome – check it out online at rockawaytheatrecompany.org.

If you get off our sandy, mermaid filled promontory and head into Manhattan there are a couple of places worth checking out, especially during the holidays. For instance the Irish Repertory Theater on West 22nd Street just moved into new “digs’ this year and the theater is beautiful and charming. They have some great Irish plays and some that can get you into the mood for the holidays. Currently Finian’s Rainbow is playing and so is Joyce’s The Dead. Only the Irish celebrate the holidays by celebrating the dead! Well worth a visit.

If you really want to get in the mood for the holidays check out the Players Theatre on MacDougal Street, they are presenting Dickens’ A Christmas Carol until December 30, and it is lots of fun. It is also very kid friendly and only about 70 minutes long. They do a great job of recreating the atmosphere of old London and that miser Scrooge. There is no resemblance to the publisher, despite what some may say. If you want something to eat before or after, try Monte’s right down the block. Sure to put you in the mood for Christmas.

Not every theater has a loyal following like ours here in Rockaway. The 13th Street Theater on West 13th Street presents Israel Horowitz’s Line on Monday nights. This is actually the oldest running play in all of New York. I recently took my son to see the play and we were joined by a whopping four other people in the 60-seat theater. But the cast was terrific; they played like it was a full house.

The mermaid and I were lucky enough to experience the Ridiculous Theater Company off of 7th Avenue and West 4th Street many years ago. Managed by the now deceased Charles Ludlam and the ever-mad Everett Quinton, this theater specialized in one and two person shows that played multiple melodramatic characters that always had us laughing. Sadly they lost their lease and their founder, but occasionally Mr. Quinton produces The Mystery of Irma Vep. I have seen this play many times and always love it. The last production I saw was at the Lucille Lortel Theater on Christopher Street.

So as the Christmas season engulfs us fully, try to get out and see a play. Nothing speaks to the heart like a voice from the stage! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all!!